Radiation Caries: Causes, Features and Treatment
Write short note on radiation caries.
Answer. Radiation caries occurs in the patients who receive radiation therapy in head and neck region.
- Such patient has got caries because they suffer from loss of salivary gland function which leads to xerostomia. This xerostomia leads to the rampant tooth destruction which is known as radiation caries.
- Destruction in radiation caries start at the cervical region and aggressively approach the entire tooth which causes loss of complete crown and only the root fragments left in the jaw.
- In radiograph, the radiation caries appear as dark radiolucent shadow which appear at the neck of teeth and is more apparent towards mesial and distal surfaces.
- Clinically radiation caries is of three types, i.e.
- Type 1: Involving cementum and dentin in cervical areas. Lesion progresses around the tooth circumference and causes amputation of crown.
- Type 2: Generalized superficial lesion attacking buccal, occlusal, incisal and palatal surfaces of teeth.
- Type 3: Dark pigmentation of crown.
Radiation Caries Treatment
- Daily apply viscous topical 1% neutral sodium fluoride gel in custom made trays.
- Dietary sucrose is avoided and cariogenic foods should be restricted.
- Affected tooth should be restored and oral hygiene should be maintained.
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